When I was sixteen years old, I bought my first guitar. It was a 1982 Rickenbacker solidbody electric, and I got it for a steal of a price. Unfortunately, I didn’t have anyone to really teach me how to play it, and I was pretty useless at teaching myself. A couple of years later, in need of quick cash, I sold it to a friend right before I moved to Georgia.
I had always regretted this, and said one day I’m going to get another guitar and learn to play it. But I put it off, and I put it off, and I put it off some more. Sooner or later, I said, there will be time and money for it.
In 1998, a near-death experience reminded me that there won’t always be time to get around to things, and I might want to think about not putting off those things I really want to do with my life. So once I was adequately recovered, I went out and bought a new guitar, a Fender DG10/12 12-string acoustic. And I signed up for a group class at the nearby MARS music store, and learned to play it well enough, and set about learning to play songs I liked and actually performing at filks and filkcons. 13 years later, I’m an adequate if unexceptional accompanist.
(While I was there, I also test drove a much more expensive acoustic: a Taylor 8-string baritone. It took an immense amount of willpower and a reminder of what I’d already committed funds to over the next few months not to change my plans, because dear lord I sounded good playing it. But I digress…)
I’ve been playing around with it for the last 12 hours. First impressions: I love the sound of it. I think I’m going to have a lot of fun with it. Good grief, I don’t know how to play it. 🙂
It’s a whole new ride. Let’s make some noise.
phillip2637
“It took an immense amount of willpower“
Friday, I went into Toronto’s biggest music store to buy a replacement for my portable music stand that self-destructed at OVFF and came out with…a music stand! I’m so proud of myself. 🙂
Congratulations on getting your new guitar!
Rob Wynne
You should be proud. It’s quite an accomplishment.
I went in prepared to spend a certain amount. I wasn’t prepared to spend 5 times that amount. 🙂
tigerbright
Neat! Hoping to get to hear you play it sometime.
admnaismith
This.
Go Rock Star!
Rob Wynne
I’m sure you will.
ericcoleman
Epi Les Paul Studios are decent guitars. We have a couple similar instruments in our house. What kind of amp?
Rob Wynne
It’s a Line 6 Spider IV. I was looking for “quality on the cheap”, and it had good reviews for the price point.
ericcoleman
Looking at the size, I assume the 15 watt. We have one of those, good little amps. My youngest son has current custody. You have a really wide range of sounds out of that little piece of gear.
quadrivium
*signs the cat* Awesome! I look forward to hearing you play it, Rob. 🙂 *HUGS*
Rob Wynne
Are you planning to come to the December housefilk? 🙂
catsittingstill
My Birthday! It was SO nice of you all to have a housefilk for my Birthday!
catsittingstill
Wait, what?
(Cat turns around, looking suspiciously for pens.)
That better be a felt tip!
poltr1
Yeah! Let’s get together and jam sometime!
BTW, one of my many embryos of song ideas is “Wakeman Wannabe”. Another is “Marcon Girls” (which calls for electric guitar).
Rob Wynne
I’m now trying to write the latter in my head as a parody of the Pet Shop Boys’ “West End Girls”. 🙂
ETA: If I drive to OVFF again next year (which at this point I plan, because it worked out so well), I’ll probably bring it along, so absolutely would love to jam. By this time next year I might have even figured out how to play the darn thing. *grin*)
poltr1
Actually, my song is not to the tune of “West End Girls”. It’s original music,
Rob Wynne
I had guessed that. I was just noting where my mind went. 🙂
I look forward to hearing your song 🙂
billroper
Looks like fun!
catsittingstill
Eight string guitar? How does that work?
Rob Wynne
In the same way a 12 string does. In this particular case, the two middle strings (D and G) have a second course that is an octave higher. It gives the baritone guitar a little bit of brightness without adding as much of the 12-string jangle.
catsittingstill
Oh, I see. Sounds interesting--or like it would sound interesting 🙂
joecoustic
Good for you, play it in good health :)!
I never did lose my heart to electrics, I’m an acoustic soul all the way.
johnpalmer
Congratulations on your willpower, and on your new acquisition… I hope it brings you fun, and joy.
trektone
How fun! I’ve been thinking of ways to get myself back in a music-making mode and had considered a new or different instrument, too. Or maybe simply taking lessons for an instrument I own would be sufficient.
braider
8 strings single track or four double-tracked strings?
Rob Wynne
Neither. Four strings single-tracked, with a pair of double-tracked. (The D and G strings on the guitar are doubled in the same way a 12-string is, the others are singles like a normal 6-string.)
braider
Freaky! But cool.